Nadda looks to public representatives for raising awareness of health schemes

New Delhi: Public representatives can become an effective medium for raising awareness among the people of the various schemes in place under the Health Ministry, Union Minister JP Nadda said here on Monday while declaring that he will meet with MPs to seek their views on the implementation of the soon-to-be-launched Mission Indradhanush.

"People's representatives can be involved to carry the message of schemes of the government, the best practices evolved and the work undertaken by the different institutions," Health Minister Nadda explained at the 38th annual day celebration of the National Institute of Health and FamilyWelfare (NIHFW).

"They (public representatives) are among the best media to spread the message of the schemes and benefits that people can avail under the different schemes of the government because... they not only represent people but also interact closely with them on a regular basis," he elaborated.

Towards this end, Nadda added he would soon meet the various MPs to seek their suggestions and views on the implementation of Mission Indradhanush, which is to be shortly launch by the Health Ministry.

Mission Indradhanush aims to cover all those children who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against seven vaccine-preventable diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.

The target of full immunisation coverage in the country by 2020 is being pursued on mission mode, he assured.

Meanwhile, noting that health was a matter significantly influenced by various socio-economic determinants, Nadda urged the faculty and staff at the institute to think in a holistic manner while conducting research or evaluation and monitoring of schemes.

He said that while one can always learn from best practices around the world, the faculty and staff at NIHFW should contribute to the emerging best practices in the health sector.

Nadda also inaugurated the National Cold Chain and Vaccine Management Resource Centre (NCCVMRC) and a skill lab at NIHFW.

NCCVMRC will function as the nodal institution for supporting, facilitating and coordinating the cold chain and vaccine management functions of the Immunisation Division of the Health Ministry.